Executive Director, Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology (CCMP)

About the position

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Weill Cornell Medical College (WCM) and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) invites applications for the position of Executive Director and Attending Veterinarian of their multi-institutional Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology (CCMP). This leadership role oversees a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary center dedicated to providing comprehensive support for animal research, training specialists in laboratory animal medicine and comparative pathology, and advancing translational and collaborative research. The Executive Director will hold a faculty appointment with Weill Cornell Medicine and MSK, commensurate with qualifications and experience, and will lead one of the largest and most comprehensive animal research programs in the nation. The CCMP supports innovative research at MSK, WCM and HSS, managing specialized facilities and ensuring ethical, humane, and compliant animal care and use. The CCMP includes the Research Animal Resource Center (RARC), the Laboratory of Comparative Pathology (LCP), and the Administrative, Financial, and Information Services (AFIS) section, employing over 280 staff and maintaining an annual operating budget of approximately $36 million. The CCMP is academically focused and dedicated to providing comprehensive animal research support, training specialists in laboratory animal medicine and comparative pathology, and advancing translational and collaborative research. The animal care and use program is fully compliant with the Federal Animal Welfare Act, the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, New York State Department of Health regulations, and is accredited by AAALAC International.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and management for the CCMP, ensuring alignment of its activities with the research missions of MSK, WCM, and HSS.
• Supervise the ethical and humane care of approximately 270,000 animals daily housed in 8 facilities in Manhattan and Westchester County, as well as Doha, Qatar.
• Design, implement, and oversee programs, policies and procedures that ensure the highest standards of animal care, use, and research integrity.
• Maintain full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and AAALAC International accreditation.
• Promote professional development and the education and training of specialists in laboratory animal medicine and comparative pathology.
• Facilitate high-quality research by collaborating with investigators and ensuring all animal studies are conducted and interpreted to the highest ethical and scientific standards.
• Partner with leadership across all three institutions to collaboratively manage the CCMP's annual operating budget and ensure effective allocation of resources.

Requirements

• A DVM or equivalent advanced degree in veterinary medicine and board certification in Laboratory Animal Medicine (e.g., ACLAM or ECLAM).
• Significant experience (at least 10-15 years) in the management of a large, complex animal care and use program in an academic, governmental or biopharmaceutical setting.
• Proven expertise in regulatory compliance standards such as AAALAC, USDA, PHS.

Nice-to-haves

• Strong leadership and strategic vision, with the ability to navigate the complexities of multi-institutional research programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare, ethical research practices, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• Track record of innovation in laboratory animal science and fostering research excellence.